Multi-roller guide

ABSTRACT

A multi-roller guide is provided that includes a base plate with a cover plate secured thereto and a plurality of roller assemblies with rollers rotatably secured between the base plate and cover plate, the roller assemblies aligned along a roller assembly arc path, wherein the rollers are configured to rotatably engage with a tensile member.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

This application claims priority to U.S. Provisional Patent Appl. No.63/093,456 filed on Oct. 19, 2020, the disclosure of which isincorporated herein by reference in its entirety for all purposes.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The invention relates generally to the field of floor cleaning systems.More particularly, the invention relates to a guide for a floor cleaningsystem.

BACKGROUND

Floor cleaning systems, such as barn alley scrapers, and other shuttlingcircuits are commonly used to move animal waste and other debris out ofan alley and into debris channels. Many such systems include a circuitformed by one or more shuttled scrapers connected to a motor via chain,wire rope, or braided rope (i.e., tensile member). Activation of themotor causes the scrapers to move along a chosen path that leads to oneor more debris channels. The circuit generally includes several guidesto change direction of the tensile member, often forming a rectangularor other loop-shaped configuration. Known guides utilize a single rollerdisk design that receives the tensile member and guides it around thecorner. Such designs have many shortcomings that can result in stressand fatigue on the tensile member, as well as the whole system.

More particularly, when the tensile member is a chain, wear becomestroublesome due to the fact that many links are strung together toproduce the circuit of chain. Every time the circuit of chain mustchange direction, the interconnected links slide on one another causingvery small amounts of wear on both touching surfaces of theinterconnected links. This small wear is amplified by the number oflinks in the circuit, for example, if there is 2,000 feet of chain witheach link having a pitch length of 1.5″ there is 16,000 connectionpoints of wear. If each connection point wears 0.005″ the circuit“slack” created would equal 80″. This is problematic as this circuitslack must be “taken-up” to maintain proper tension to do the work. Thesmaller (i.e. tighter) the bending radius at each guide, the more wearis created due to the larger degree of relative movement between the twointerconnected links to perform the direction change. More wear equals,more take-up required at a faster rate, which means decreased chainlife, decreased chain strength, and increased maintenance.

When the tensile member is wire rope, cable, or braided rope, wear iscreated by a tight (i.e. small) bend radius provided by the known singleroller design. Utilizing a tight bend radius greatly increases theinternal and surface stresses of this type of tensile member which inturn causes surface wear and reduction of service life. When usinglarger single roller designs the theoretical internal stresses can bereduced by a larger bend radius, but surface stresses on the tensilemember greatly increase during conditions of sliding of the tensilemember across the roller when the roller does not rotate as freely dueto its increased size and added friction.

It will be understood by those skilled in the art that one or moreaspects of this invention can meet certain objectives, while one or moreother aspects can lead to certain other objectives. Various objects,features, benefits and advantages of the invention will be apparent inthis summary and descriptions of the disclosed embodiment, and will bereadily apparent to those skilled in the art. Such objects, features,benefits and advantages will be apparent from the above as taken inconjunction with the accompanying figures and all reasonable inferencesto be drawn therefrom.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

In at least some embodiments, a multi-roller guide is provided thatincludes: a base plate; a cover plate secured to the base plate; aplurality of roller assemblies including rollers rotatably securedbetween the base plate and cover plate, and aligned along a rollerassembly arc path, wherein the rollers are configured to rotatablyengage with a tensile member; and a plurality of spacers secured betweenthe base plate and cover plate.

In at least some other embodiments, a floor cleaning system is providedhaving a circuit that includes a tensile member and a floor scraper, anda plurality of multi-roller guides, the system including: a plurality ofmulti-roller guides, each multi-roller guide comprising: a base plate; acover plate secured to the base plate; and a plurality of rollerassemblies including rollers rotatably secured between the base plateand cover plate, and aligned along a roller assembly arc path, whereinthe rollers are configured to rotatably engage with the tensile memberto effectuate a change in direction of the tensile member; and a drivemotor assembly for moving the tensile member and the floor scraperwithin the circuit.

Other embodiments, aspects, and features of the invention will beunderstood and appreciated upon a full reading of the detaileddescription and the claims that follow.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Embodiments of the invention are disclosed with reference to theaccompanying drawings and are for illustrative purposes only. Theinvention is not limited in application to the details of constructionor the arrangement of the components illustrated in the drawings. Theinvention is capable of other embodiments or of being practiced orcarried out in other various ways.

FIG. 1 is a top perspective view of an exemplary floor cleaning systempositioned relative to an exemplary barn floor and wall.

FIG. 2 is a top view of the floor cleaning system shown in FIG. 1.

FIG. 3 is a front view of an exemplary multi-roller guide.

FIG. 4 is a top perspective view of the multi-roller guide.

FIG. 5 is a rear view of the multi-roller guide.

FIG. 6 is an exploded front perspective view of the multi-roller guide.

FIG. 7 is a perspective view of an exemplary roller assembly of FIG. 3.

FIG. 8 is an exploded perspective view of the roller assembly.

FIG. 9 is a perspective view of an exemplary axle of FIG. 3.

FIG. 10 is a top view of the axle.

FIG. 11 is a cross-sectional view of the axle taken along line 11-11 ofFIG. 10.

FIG. 12 is a top view of an exemplary cover plate.

FIG. 13 is a top view of an exemplary base plate.

FIG. 14 is a top perspective view of the multi-roller guide with thecover plate removed and a tensile member shown engaged therewith.

FIG. 15 is a top view of the multi-roller guide with the cover plateremoved and a tensile member shown engaged therewith.

FIG. 16 is a prior art guide shown with a single disk engaged with achain.

FIG. 17 is an exploded perspective view of an exemplary secondembodiment of a multi-roller guide that includes linked rollerassemblies.

FIG. 18 is a perspective view the second embodiment of the multi-rollerguide of FIG. 17 with the cover plate removed and a tensile member shownengaged therewith.

FIG. 19 is a top view of the multi-roller guide shown in FIG. 17 withthe cover plate removed and a tensile member shown engaged therewith.

FIG. 20 is an exploded perspective view of an exemplary third embodimentof a multi-roller guide that includes a multi-portion roller.

FIG. 21 is a front perspective view of the multi-roller guide of FIG.20.

FIG. 22 is a top view of the multi-roller guide of FIG. 20 with thecover plate removed and a tensile member shown engaged therewith.

FIG. 23 is a top view of an exemplary fourth embodiment of amulti-roller guide.

FIG. 24 is a front perspective view of the multi-roller guide of FIG.23.

FIG. 25 is a rear view of the multi-roller guide of FIG. 23.

FIG. 26 is an exploded front perspective view of the multi-roller guideof FIG. 23.

FIG. 27 is a perspective view of an exemplary roller assembly of FIG.23.

FIG. 28 is an exploded perspective view of the roller assembly of FIG.28.

FIG. 29 is a perspective view of an exemplary chain guide of FIG. 23.

FIG. 30 is a bottom perspective view of an exemplary roller cleaner ofFIG. 23.

FIG. 31 is a top perspective view of the multi-roller guide of FIG. 23with the cover plate removed and a tensile member shown engagedtherewith.

FIG. 32 is a top view of the multi-roller guide of FIG. 23 with thecover plate removed and a tensile member shown engaged therewith.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

FIGS. 1 and 2 illustrate an exemplary floor cleaning system 100 shownpositioned relative to a wall 102 and a floor 104. The wall 102 andfloor 104 are exemplary and are for illustrative purposes to show thelayout of an exemplary configuration. As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, thefloor 104 includes two exemplary longitudinal parallel alleys 106, eachhaving a pair of floor scrapers 108 coupled within the recessed alley106 and positioned to direct debris into a further recessed debrischannel 107. The scrapers 108 are further coupled by a tensile member110 to form a complete circuit 111 (i.e., a loop of connections).

The tensile member 110 can include various individual lengths (e.g.,coupled between scrapers 108, etc.) or a continuous loop coupled to thescrapers 108. For simplicity, the term tensile member 110 can refer toeither configuration. Further, the tensile member 110 can take manyforms such as a chain, a rope, a belt, a cable, etc. A plurality ofmulti-roller guides 112 are provided at the corners to change thedirection of the tensile member 110 accordingly. The multi-roller guides112 are secured in position (e.g., to the floor 104) and unlike thescrapers 108, in at least some embodiments, remain anchored in placeduring operation of the floor cleaning system 100. The tensile member110 is fixedly secured to the scrapers 108 and rotatably engaged withthe multi-roller guides 112, such that tensile member 110 is allowed topass through the guides 112. The tensile member 110 is further engagedwith a drive motor assembly 114 that causes the tensile member 110 torotate within the circuit 111.

The drive motor assembly 114 can in at least some embodimentsincorporate a drive motor 115 to provide a motive force to the tensilemember 110. A chain tensioner 117 can also be incorporated in the drivemotor assembly 114 to maintain or adjust tension. When the drive motorassembly 114 is activated to move the tensile member 110, the scrapers108 are moved along the alleys to push waste and debris. As the floorcleaning system 100 shown in FIGS. 1 and 2 is exemplary, it shall beunderstood that the quantity and positioning of various components, suchas the multi-roller guides 112, tensile member 110, scrapers 108, etc.can vary to accommodate a desired circuit shape and configuration.

As shown in FIGS. 3-6 providing top, front perspective, rear, and frontexploded views, in at least some embodiments, the exemplary multi-rollerguide 112 is generally arc-shaped and includes a plurality of rollerassemblies 116, while in other embodiments, the exemplary multi-rollerguide 112 can take other shapes. In at least some embodiments, tworoller assemblies 116 are provided, while in other embodiments, three ormore roller assemblies 116 are provided to form a generally arc-shapedconfiguration (e.g., a roller assembly arc path 146). In at least someembodiments, the roller assemblies 116 are secured between a cover plate120 and a base plate 122. As shown, the cover plate 120 and the baseplate 122 can be generally arc-shaped, although other shapes can beutilized. The multi-roller guide 112 has a guide front 113 that would besituated in front of the tensile member 110 and a guide rear 119, thatwould be situated behind the tensile member 110.

Referring to FIGS. 7 and 8, in at least some embodiments, each rollerassembly 116 can include a roller 124 having a roller center passage 123that receives a bearing 126, with the bearing 126 having a bearingcenter passage 121 that receives therein an axle 128, wherein the rollerassembly 116 is secured between the cover plate 120 and base plate 122via the axle 128. In some other embodiments, the roller assemblies 116can be comprised of other components and secured in other manners. In atleast some embodiments, the roller 124 can be spool shaped and include acore portion 125 extending between upper and lower boundary walls 127,141, and in some embodiments, the roller 124 can include sprocket-liketooth profiles configured to engage the tensile member 110.

The bearing 126 can be comprised of one or more of various materials,such as nylon, brass, steel, etc., and can take any of various forms,such as a roller bearing, a taper bearing, etc. and include variousshapes, such as cylindrical. In at least some embodiments, a thrustwasher 129 (FIG. 6) can be provided between the roller assembly 116 andthe base plate 122 and/or cover plate 120 to space the roller 124 andbearing 126 from either plate.

As seen in FIGS. 9-11 illustrating perspective, top, and cross-sectionalviews of the axle 128, in at least some embodiments, the axle 128 isgenerally cylindrical, and can further include a lubrication passage143. The axles 128 can be fixed to the base plate 122 and the coverplate 120 using fasteners, such as screws, bolts, etc., in addition, inat least some embodiments, the axles 128 can include anti-rotationnon-round ends 131, shaped to engage with mating apertures 133 on thebase plate 122 and cover plate 120. Further, although in the illustratedembodiment, the axle 128 is not configured to rotate, in at least someembodiments of the roller assembly 116, the roller 124 can be fixed tothe axle 128, with the axle 128 freely rotatable about one or morebearings within the base plate 122 and cover plate 120.

Referring to FIG. 12, a top view of the cover plate 120 is provided. Inat least some embodiments, the cover plate 120 includes a plurality ofthe aforementioned mating apertures 133, as does the base plate 122shown in FIG. 13. The base plate 122 can further include a plurality ofbase securement apertures 132 for receiving base plate fasteners 134(e.g., bolts, bolts with nuts, etc.) (see FIG. 6) for securement of themulti-roller guide 112 to a surface, such as the floor 104 at a desiredcorner (or other change of direction in any plane) location. As seenbest in FIG. 6, the multi-roller guide 112 can further include aplurality of spacers 136 situated between the base plate 122 and coverplate 120 to provide clearance for the rollers 124 and the tensilemember 110 between the base plate 122 and cover plate 120. In at leastsome embodiments, the spacers 136 are cylindrical, although in otherembodiments, other shapes can be provided. In addition, the spacers 136can be shaped, sized, and/or positioned, to rub off debris (manure,bedding, dirt, sand, hay, etc.) collected on the tensile member 110during operation, which improves the ability of the roller assemblies116 to effectively operate. Further, in at least some embodiments, thespacers 136 are secured between the cover plate 120 and base plate 122using a plurality of spacer fasteners 138 (see FIG. 6) that pass throughspacer passages 139 in the spacers 136, and spacer apertures 140 in thecover plate 120. The spacer fasteners 138 can include any of numeroustypes of fasteners, such as bolt and nut combinations, or bolts forcoupling with threads in the base plate 122 or cover plate 120.

As noted above, the multi-roller guide 112 can be utilized in a floorclearing system 100 to provide corner bend or other change in directionsfor the tensile member 110. Referring to FIGS. 14 and 15 illustrated areperspective and top views of the multi-roller guide 112 with the coverplate 120 removed and the tensile member 110 shown engaged therewith.The cover plate 120 is omitted to provide an enhanced view of thetensile member 110 (e.g., a chain) engaged with the roller assemblies116, as well as a guide bend radius 144, a tensile member arc path 145,and the roller assembly arc path 146. When under tension, the tensilemember 110 abuts the core portion 125 and/or outer upper and lowerboundary walls 127, 141 of the roller 124. As the drive motor assembly114 rotates the tensile member 110 about the circuit 111 (to move thetethered scraper 108 and/or other devices), the rollers 124 rotate inabutment with the tensile member 110 to guide the tensile member 110along the guide bend radius 144. The roller assembly arc path 146illustrates an exemplary arc path that can be utilized in someembodiments, while in other embodiments, the roller assemblies 116 canbe positioned such that the roller assembly arc path has more or lessbend (i.e., arc size) as desired to provide an alternate tensile memberarc path. The multi-roller guide 112 can be used in any section of adriven or non-driven circuit 111 to redirect the tensile member 110 asdesired.

As discussed above, the multi-roller guide 112 provides among otherthings, the ability to redirect a tensile member without requiring asignificant footprint or significant weight causing drag on the circuit.Referring to prior art FIG. 16, a known guide 200 is shown that utilizesa single disk 202 engaged with a chain 204. The disk 202 has a bendradius 206 and chain arc path 207, both of which are limited by thediameter of the disk 202, with the diameter of the disk 202 beinglimited by the acceptable weight and friction of the disk 202 and spacefor accommodating the disk 202. Due to the various constraints, atypical bend radius 206 in the 5-6-inch range to accommodate a 90 degreeturn of the chain 204 can require an overall footprint of the guide 200of over 17 inches in length and 17 inches in width. Increasing the bendradius 206 to provide a 12-inch bend radius would require asignificantly larger amount of floor space and a much larger heavierdisk 202, which further increases the overall system load on a drivemotor.

In contrast to the prior art design shown in FIG. 16, the multi-rollerguide 112 with multiple roller assemblies 116 distributed along a rollerassembly arc path 146, each spinning on multiple axles 128, provides animproved bending radius (i.e., longer radius) that is significantlylonger than a traditional roller disk design utilizing a single largedisk, but without requiring a significantly larger footprint formounting the disk. For example, the multi-roller guide 112 can easilyprovide over a 12-inch guide bend radius 144 without requiring a largeheavy disk and associated large mounting space. In addition, the shapeof the multi-roller guide 112 is easily accommodated at the corners of acircuit and can be downsized or upsized significantly by increasing theoverall scale or adding or removing roller assemblies 116. The largeravailable bend radius provides less stress on the tensile member 110 andthe overall floor cleaning system 100. The guide bend radius 144 is theradius of a circle that would follow the tensile member arc path 145,and in at least some embodiments is between about 12 inches and about 14inches, while in other embodiments, the guide bend radius 144 is greaterthan about 14 inches or less than about 12 inches. The curvature of theroller assembly arc path 146 is identical to the curvature of thetensile member arc path 145. In at least some embodiments, with a guidebend radius 144 of 12 inches, the length L1 and width W1 of thefootprint F1 of the multi-roller guide 112 (e.g., FIG. 15) is betweenabout 18 inches and about 20 inches.

Referring now to FIG. 17, an exploded perspective view of an exemplarysecond embodiment of a multi-roller guide 312 that includes a pluralityof linked roller assemblies 316 is provided. The multi-roller guide 312shares many components with the first embodiment of the multi-rollerguide 112, as such, for convenience the components have been numberedsimilarly using a 300-series number in place of the 100-series number(i.e., spacer 136 and spacer 336, etc.) to indicate at least in someembodiments, at least partially similar form and function.

The multi-roller guide 312 includes one or more roller assemblies 316that are linked to one or more other roller assemblies 316. Linking theroller assemblies 316 can provide improved load sharing, particularly onthe roller assemblies 316 situated at the outer ends of the multi-rollerguide 312 where maximum loading from the tensile member 110 occurs. Thelinking can be performed using various configurations, although in atleast some embodiments, the linking is performed using an upper link 360and a lower link 362, each having a centered or offset pivot point 364and a pair of axle apertures 366 shaped and sized to receive the ends331 of the axles 328. The pivot points 364 are generally positionedbetween the cover plate 320 and the base plate 322. In at least someembodiments, the pivot points 364 are pivotably secured along with aspacer 336 therebetween, using spacer fasteners 338 that pass throughthe spacer apertures 340. The links 360, 362 can be configured invarious shapes, such as a “V” shape, straight bar shape, “L” shaped,arced, etc.

In at least some embodiments, the links 360, 362 can be utilized withall the roller assemblies 316, while in other embodiments, some of theroller assemblies 316 can be secured without links 360, 362, such asshown in FIG. 17 where the roller assembly 316 in the center position isunlinked. In at least some other embodiments, the pivot points 364 canbe secured similar to the roller assemblies 316 using a bearing 326 andaxle 328 configuration instead of a spacer 336, to provide somerotational freedom to the roller assemblies 316.

The bearing 326 can be comprised of one or more of various materials,such as nylon, brass, steel, etc., and can take any of various forms,such as a roller bearing, a taper bearing, etc. and include variousshapes, such as cylindrical. In at least some embodiments, a lowerthrust washer 329 and an upper thrust washer (not shown) can be providedbetween the roller assembly 316 and the base plate 322 and cover plate320 to space the roller 324 and bearing 326 from either plate.

In at least some embodiments, the axle 328 is generally cylindrical, andcan further include a lubrication passage 343. The axles 328 can befixed to the base plate 322 and the cover plate 320 using fasteners,such as screws, bolts, etc., in addition, in at least some embodiments,the axles 328 can include ends 331 shaped to engage with matingapertures 333 on the base plate 322 and cover plate 320 (e.g.non-round).

For illustrative purposes, FIGS. 18 and 19 provide perspective and topviews of the multi-roller guide 312 of FIG. 17 with the cover plate 320removed and a tensile member 110 shown engaged therewith. In at leastsome embodiments, two roller assemblies 316 are provided, while in otherembodiments, three or more are provided to form a generally arc-shapedconfiguration (e.g., a roller assembly arc path 346). In addition, aguide bend radius 344 extends from a tensile member arc path 345, whichhas the same arc as the roller assembly arc path 346. The guide bendradius 344 is the radius of a circle that would follow the tensilemember arc path 345, and in at least some embodiments is between about12 inches and about 14 inches, while in other embodiments, the guidebend radius 344 is greater than about 14 inches or less than about 12inches. The length L2 and width W2 of the footprint F2. In at least someembodiments, with a guide bend radius 344 of 12 inches, the length L2and width W2 of the footprint F2 of the multi-roller guide 312 (e.g.,FIG. 19) is between about 18 inches and about 20 inches.

Referring now to FIG. 20, an exploded perspective view of an exemplarythird embodiment of a multi-roller guide 412 is provided. FIG. 21provides a top perspective view, and FIG. 22 provides a top view of themulti-roller guide 412 with the cover plate removed and a tensile member110 shown engaged therewith. The multi-roller guide 412 shares manycomponents with the first embodiment of the multi-roller guide 112, assuch, for convenience the components have been numbered similarly usinga 400-series number in place of the 100-series number (i.e., spacer 136and spacer 436, etc.) to indicate in at least some embodiments, at leastpartly similar form and function. Although some embodiments of themulti-roller guide can include a one-piece roller, the roller 424 of themulti-roller guide 412 can be comprised of several components coupledtogether. For example, the roller 424 can include an upper rollerportion 470 and a lower roller portion 472, each having an outersidewall 427 and a chamber 474 formed therein.

The roller 424 further includes a core block 476 having opposing coreblock ends 480 with a center core portion 425 positioned therebetweenand a center aperture 478 for receiving the bearing 426 and axle 428extending therethrough. The core block 476 can take many forms, althoughin at least some embodiments, the core block 476 is spool shaped withthe core block ends 480 having a non-round (e.g., square, octagonal,triangular, etc.) perimeter shape configured to matingly engage thechamber 474 so as to rotate with the roller portions 470, 472 about thebearing 426. The multi-component roller 424 allows for replacement ofindividual components during repair, such as the upper roller portion470, core block 476, or lower roller portion 472. The chamber 474 cantake many forms, although in at least some embodiments, the chamber 474is sized and shaped to receive at least a portion of the core block end480. The roller portions 470, 472 can include set screws andcorresponding apertures 484 for securing the roller portions 470 withthe block ends 480. In at least some embodiments, two roller assemblies416 are provided, while in other embodiments, three or more are providedto form a generally arc-shaped configuration (e.g., a roller assemblyarc path 446).

The bearing 426 can be comprised of one or more of various materials,such as nylon, brass, steel, etc., and can take any of various forms,such as a roller bearing, a taper bearing, etc. and include variousshapes, such as cylindrical. In at least some embodiments, a lowerthrust washer 429 and an upper thrust washer (not shown) can be providedbetween the roller assembly 416 and the base plate 422 and cover plate420 to space the roller 424 and bearing 426 from either plate.

In at least some embodiments, the axle 428 is generally cylindrical, andcan further include a lubrication passage 443. The axles 428 can befixed to the base plate 422 and the cover plate 420 using fasteners,such as screws, bolts, etc., in addition, in at least some embodiments,the axles 428 can include ends 431 shaped to engage with matingapertures 433 on the base plate 422 and cover plate 420 (e.g.non-round).

A guide bend radius 444 extends from a tensile member arc path 445,which has the same arc as the roller assembly arc path 446. The guidebend radius 444 is the radius of a circle that would follow the tensilemember arc path 445, and in at least some embodiments is between about12 inches and about 14 inches, while in other embodiments, the guidebend radius 444 is greater than about 14 inches or less than about 12inches. The length L3 and width W3 of the footprint F3. In at least someembodiments, with a guide bend radius 444 of 12 inches, the length L3and width W3 of the footprint F3 of the multi-roller guide 412 (e.g.,FIG. 22) is between about 18 inches and about 20 inches.

Referring to FIGS. 23-26, various views of an exemplary fourthembodiment of a multi-roller guide. The multi-roller guide 512 sharesmany components with the first embodiment of the multi-roller guide 112,as such, for convenience the components have been numbered similarlyusing a 500-series number in place of the 100-series number (i.e.,spacer 136 and spacer 536, etc.) to indicate at least in someembodiments, at least partially similar form and function.

The exemplary multi-roller guide 512 is generally arc-shaped andincludes a plurality of roller assemblies 516, while in otherembodiments, the exemplary multi-roller guide 512 can take other shapes.In at least some embodiments, two roller assemblies 516 are provided,while in other embodiments, three or more are provided to form agenerally arc-shaped configuration (e.g., a roller assembly arc path546). In addition, a guide bend radius 544 extends from a tensile memberarc path 545, which has the same arc as the roller assembly arc path546. The guide bend radius 544 is the radius of a circle that wouldfollow the tensile member arc path 545, and in at least some embodimentsis between about 20 inches and about 24 inches, while in otherembodiments, the guide bend radius 544 is greater than about 24 inchesor less than about 20 inches. The length L4 and width W4 of thefootprint F4. In at least some embodiments, with a guide bend radius 544of 20 inches, the length L4 and width W4 of the footprint F4 of themulti-roller guide 512 (e.g., FIG. 32) is between about 23 inches andabout 25 inches.

In at least some embodiments, the roller assemblies 516 are securedbetween a cover plate 520 and a base plate 522. In at least someembodiments, the roller assemblies 516 are secured between a cover plate520 and a base plate 522. As shown, the cover plate 520 and the baseplate 522 can be generally arc-shaped, although other shapes can beutilized. In at least some embodiments, the cover plate 520 includes aplurality of mating apertures 533. The base plate 522 can include aplurality of base securement apertures 532 for receiving base platefasteners 534 (e.g., bolts, bolts with nuts, etc.) for securement of themulti-roller guide 512 to a surface, such as the floor 104 at a desiredcorner (or other change of direction in any plane) location. As seenbest in FIG. 26, the multi-roller guide 512 can further include aplurality of spacers 536 situated between the base plate 522 and coverplate 520 to provide clearance for the rollers 524 and the tensilemember 110 between the base plate 522 and cover plate 520. In at leastsome embodiments, the spacers 536 are cylindrical, although in otherembodiments, other shapes can be provided. Further, in at least someembodiments, the spacers 536 are secured between the cover plate 520 andbase plate 522 using a plurality of spacer fasteners 538 that passthrough spacer passages 539 in the spacers 536, and spacer apertures 540in the cover plate 520. The spacer fasteners 538 can include any ofnumerous types of fasteners, such as bolt and nut combinations, or boltsfor coupling with threads in the base plate 522 or cover plate 520.

Referring to FIGS. 27 and 28, in at least some embodiments, each rollerassembly 516 can include a roller 524 having a roller center passage 523that receives a bearing 526, with the bearing 526 having a bearingcenter passage 521 that receives therein an axle 528, wherein the rollerassembly 516 is secured between the cover plate 520 and base plate 522via the axle 528. In some other embodiments, the roller assemblies 516can be comprised of other components and secured in other manners. In atleast some embodiments, the roller 524 can be spool shaped and include acore portion 525 extending between upper and lower boundary walls 527,541, and in some embodiments, the roller 524 can include sprocket-liketooth profiles configured to engage the tensile member 110 (e.g. such asa transverse ribbed belt).

The bearing 526 can be comprised of one or more of various materials,such as nylon, brass, steel, etc., and can take any of various forms,such as a roller bearing, a taper bearing, etc. and include variousshapes, such as cylindrical. In at least some embodiments, a lowerthrust washer 529 and an upper thrust washer 535 (FIG. 26) can beprovided between the roller assembly 516 and the base plate 522 andcover plate 520 to space the roller 524 and bearing 526 from eitherplate.

In at least some embodiments, the axle 528 is generally cylindrical, andcan further include a lubrication passage 543. The axles 528 can befixed to the base plate 522 and the cover plate 520 using fasteners,such as screws, bolts, etc., in addition, in at least some embodiments,the axles 528 can include ends 531 shaped to engage with matingapertures 533 on the base plate 522 and cover plate 520 (e.g.non-round). Further, although in the illustrated embodiment, the axle528 is not configured to rotate, in at least some embodiments of theroller assembly 516, the roller 524 can be fixed to the axle 528, withthe axle 528 freely rotatable about one or more bearings within the baseplate 522 and cover plate 520.

Referring to FIG. 29, a rear perspective view of an exemplary chainguide 555 is provided. The chain guide 555 can include a chain guidechannel 557 shaped and sized receive and guide the tensile member 110when comprised of a chain. The chain guide 555 is secured to the baseplate 522 using one or more chain guide fasteners 559. One or moreroller cleaners 561 can be provided and secured atop the chain guides555 using one or more of the chain guide fasteners 559 (see FIG. 32). Asseen in FIG. 30, the roller cleaner 561 can include one or more cleanerarms 563, which are positioned to extend between the upper and lowerboundary walls 527, 541 of the core portion 525 of the roller 524. Thispositioning allows the cleaner arms 563 to rub off debris (manure,bedding, dirt, sand, hay, etc.) collected on the roller 524, whichimproves the ability of the roller assemblies 516 to effectivelyoperate. FIGS. 30 and 31 provide top perspective and top views of themulti-roller guide 512 with the cover plate 520 removed and the tensilemember 110 shown engaged therewith for illustrative purposes.

As noted above, various similar elements are provided with similar namesand/or numbers (e.g., spacer 136, 336, 436, 536) and may not bereferenced with greater detail, though it should be assumed that absentclarification they in at least some embodiments, may perform a similarfunction or have an equivalent structure. In addition to the disclosedshapes and sizes (e.g., cylindrical, tubular, conical, tapered, etc.),all the aforementioned components, can vary to include numerousadaptations. Further, the material composition of all components canalso include numerous elements, such as steel, aluminum, alloys,plastics, etc. The use of the term “plurality” in the description orclaims shall be understood to include “one or more.”

Although the invention has been herein described in what is perceived tobe the most practical and preferred embodiments, it is to be understoodthat the invention is not intended to be limited to the specificembodiments set forth above. Rather, it is recognized that modificationsmay be made by one of skill in the art of the invention withoutdeparting from the spirit or intent of the invention and, therefore, theinvention is to be taken as including all reasonable equivalents to thesubject matter of the appended claims and the description of theinvention herein.

What is claimed is:
 1. A multi-roller guide comprising: a base plate; acover plate secured to the base plate; and a plurality of rollerassemblies including rollers rotatably secured between the base plateand cover plate, and aligned along a roller assembly arc path, whereinthe rollers are configured to rotatably engage with a tensile member. 2.The multi-roller guide of claim 1, wherein each of the plurality ofroller assemblies further includes a roller having a roller centerpassage that receives a bearing, with the bearing having a bearingcenter passage that receives therein an axle, and wherein the rollerassembly is secured between the cover plate and base plate via the axle.3. The multi-roller guide of claim 2, wherein the roller is spool shapedincluding a core portion extending between upper and lower boundarywalls.
 4. The multi-roller guide of claim 1, further including one ormore links connecting two of the plurality of roller assemblies.
 5. Themulti-roller guide of claim 4, wherein the one or more links include anupper link and a lower link positioned between the base plate and coverplate.
 6. The multi-roller guide of claim 5, wherein the upper link andlower link each include an off-set pivot point situated between a pairof axle apertures.
 7. The multi-roller guide of claim 6, wherein theoff-set pivot point of each of the upper link and lower link ispivotably secured along with a spacer between the cover plate and thebase plate.
 8. The multi-roller guide of claim 7, wherein each of theplurality of roller assemblies includes an axle that extends through aroller, and wherein the roller is secured between the cover plate andbase plate via the axle.
 9. The multi-roller guide of claim 8, whereinopposite ends of the axle are received in the axle apertures.
 10. Themulti-roller guide of claim 9, wherein the roller is configured torotatably engage a tensile member to move the tensile member along atensile member arc path.
 11. The multi-roller guide of claim 1, whereineach of the plurality of roller assemblies further includes a rollerthat receives a bearing and an axle therethrough, and wherein the axleof each of the plurality of roller assemblies is secured between thecover plate and base plate.
 12. The multi-roller guide of claim 11,wherein the roller can include an upper roller portion and a lowerroller portion, each having an outer sidewall and a chamber formedtherein.
 13. The multi-roller guide of claim 12, wherein the rollerfurther includes a core block having opposing core block ends with acenter core portion positioned therebetween and a center aperture forreceiving the bearing and axle therethrough.
 14. The multi-roller guideof claim 13, wherein the core block ends have a non-round perimetershape for mating engagement with the chamber of the upper roller portionand the chamber of the lower roller portion, such that the core block isrotationally fixed with the upper roller portion and the lower rollerportion.
 15. The multi-roller guide of claim 1, wherein each of theplurality of roller assemblies includes an axle that is coupled to aroller, and wherein the roller is secured between the cover plate andbase plate via the axle.
 16. The multi-roller guide of claim 15, whereinthe roller for each of the plurality of roller assemblies is configuredto rotatably engage a tensile member to move the tensile member along atensile member arc path.
 17. The multi-roller guide of claim 16, furtherincluding a chain guide secured to at least one of the top plate and thebase plate, wherein the chain guide includes a chain guide channel forreceiving and guiding the tensile member.
 18. The multi-roller guide ofclaim 17, further including a plurality of roller cleaners include oneor more cleaner arms extending therefrom, wherein the one or morecleaner arms are positioned between the rollers to engage and removedebris situated on rollers.
 19. The multi-roller guide of claim 1,wherein the tensile member is secured to one or more floor scrapers, andwherein at least four roller assemblies are coupled with the tensilemember to form a loop-shaped circuit.
 20. A floor cleaning system havinga circuit that includes a tensile member and a floor scraper, and aplurality of multi-roller guides, the system comprising: a plurality ofmulti-roller guides, each multi-roller guide comprising: a base plate; acover plate secured to the base plate; and a plurality of rollerassemblies including rollers rotatably secured between the base plateand cover plate, and aligned along a roller assembly arc path, whereinthe rollers are configured to rotatably engage with the tensile memberto effectuate a change in direction of the tensile member; and a drivemotor assembly for moving the tensile member and the floor scraperwithin the circuit.